Greene Township landfill proposes 47 percent more trash

HARRISBURG&GT;&GT; IESI PA Blue Ridge Landfill Corp. wants to increase by nearly 50 percent the volume of trash that can be dumped daily at the municipal landfill in Greene Township.

The Department of Environmental Protection will host a public meeting at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 17, at the Greene Township Municipal Building, 1145 Garver Lane, Scotland, about the company's permit modification application. A public hearing follows at 7:30 p.m.

The privately-owned landfill would increase its quarterly daily average tonnage acceptance from 1,700 tons per day to 2,500 tons per day and its maximum daily tonnage acceptance from 2,000 tons per day to 3,000 tons per day.

Greene Township consultants have reviewed the application and commented on transportation and regulatory items. There were no major concerns, just clarification on several items, according to the June 24 minutes of the supervisors' meeting. The roads from Interstate 81 to the landfill were deemed to be adequate for the increase truck traffic.

The public will have the opportunity to present up to ten minutes of oral testimony during the Sept. 17 hearing. Organizations are encouraged to designate one witness to present testimony on behalf of the group, relinquishing of time to other speakers will not be permitted, and all presenters should bring two copies of their comments and exhibits.

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"During the meeting portion of the evening, company officials will answer questions about the project and DEP staff will clarify the application review process," DEP South-central Regional Director Lynn Langer said. "Then, during the public hearing, people will have an opportunity to present testimony about the application."

Those who wish to present testimony during the hearing are asked to register in advance by contacting Eileen Bitting in DEP's South-central Regional Office at 717-705-4703. Individuals who register in advance will be given priority on the agenda. If time permits at the hearing, those who did not register will be given the opportunity to testify.

Citizens who require an auxiliary aid, service or other accommodations should contact Eileen or the Pennsylvania AT&T relay service at 1-800-654-5984 (TDD) to discuss how the department may accommodate their needs.

Those who prefer to present their comments in writing or are unable to attend the hearing may submit written testimony by 4 p.m. on Oct. 1 to John Oren, Permits Chief for the Waste Management Program, DEP South-central Regional Office, 909 Elmerton Ave., Harrisburg, PA 17110.

A stenographer will record the hearing testimony and transcribe it into a written document. DEP will respond in writing to all relevant testimony provided during the public hearing and comment period and consider relevant comments in its review of the application.

The administrative record for the application will be open for review and comment until Oct.1. It can be reviewed, by appointment, weekdays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.at DEP's South-central Regional Office at 909 Elmerton Ave. in Harrisburg. To make an appointment, contact Stacy Burns at 717-705-4732.